Former convict, turned minister helps homeless

A rehabbed convict is rehabbing house for the homeless in Fayetteville. After serving nearly two decades in prison on drug charges, Pastor Jesse Garner turned his life around and has spent the last ten year serving the homeless in various ways in Fayetteville.

Garner’s church, Open Arms Community Church, recently purchased three run down homes on Orange Street near downtown Fayetteville. The plan is to to rehab the homes and use them as transitional housing for those in need.

Garner says he has felt called to help the homeless ever since he found Christianity in prison.

“I just want to be in a position all the time to be what God wants me to be so I can help someone else,” said Garner.

Garner says those living in the transitional housing will have access to job training, mentoring, and counseling.